Another building in Cambridge has reportedly been struck by a lorry diverted from the A14 because of overnight road closures.

The Salon Cambridge in Haymarket Road, has sustained what owner Paul Davis says is "considerable damage" after a heavy goods vehicle crashed into the hairdressers on Thursday morning (December 13).

"I was in complete shock when I saw the state of the the place. I got into work as usual to find a police line and rubble at the salon," Paul, 49, said.

"Looking up I could see a lot of the roof had just been sheared off. The neighbours then came out to tell me that a lorry had hit it at 4am this morning. They had all been woken up in the night by the noise.

The damage could cost between £10,000 and £12,000 to repair (Image: Paul Davis)

"It's highly unlikely [the driver] will ever be investigated. The police don't have the resources to track him down. No one saw a number plate or anything to identify it.

"This needs to be sorted out. It's an old city and those lorries are just too big."

Paul is now having to work out how to repair his salon, which he has run for the last four years.

"I was very nervous starting it nearly four years ago, it's my first 'bricks and mortar' buisness," he explained.

The lorry had sheared off part of the roof (Image: Paul Davis)

"It's a small salon, only two chairs and a hair wash basin. We keep it very personal, and I think people like us because we're not a chain.

"This really couldn't have happened at a worse time, before Christmas is always really busy. We're lucky we are still able to trade.

"We don't know the full extent of the damage, but some very early builder's estimates are in the £10,000 to £12,000 mark. I'm talking to my insurance, but we might have to close the salon to have the repairs done."

What Highways England say

It is believed that lorry drivers are taking a shortcut through the city instead of taking Highway England's official diversion route around the overnight roadworks on the A14.

A spokesman for Highways England said: “Upgrading the A14 is a massive job, and we are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum during construction. It includes a brand new bypass for Huntingdon, as well as widening existing sections of the A14 and the A1.

Paul said he was thankful they were still able to trade despite the damage (Image: Paul Davis)

"We are working very hard to help ensure that drivers use the signed diversion route, working in partnership with police, local authorities and haulage groups. We have added additional signs further away from Cambridgeshire to alert HGVs of any road closures, we share our roadworks plans with hauliers, and we have deployed signs directing drivers away from local roads and onto the agreed diversion routes.

"We have already been using traffic marshals to help direct traffic toward the official diversion routes, and have now enlisted traffic officers to help steer drivers away from these local roads and on to the official diversion route instead.

"We understand that it is not easy living near a major construction site and we appreciate the patience of all our neighbours. We hope these additional steps we are taking will deliver an improvement.”